CATHEDRA A PUBLICATION OF AMERICA’S PARISH CHURCH NEW YORK CITY

Spring 2021 Cathedra Rector’s Message Table Lenten Reflection of By Reverend Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie Contents “'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, 2 Rector’s Message with fasting and weeping and mourning.'’” ~ Joel 2:12 3 Day of Giving

4 FreeWill & St. Patrick's

5 The Bells Shall Call us Home

7 Tour St. Patrick's Lent, our time of reflection, penance, prayer, in their giving, that allowed us to “keep the and giving in preparation for Easter, is upon lights on”. Thank you! 9 A Parishioners Covid-19 Journey us. The word Lent is derived from the Anglo- I grow more joyful and hopeful, as our doors Saxon word lencten, meaning spring. How are now open. To again see our pews slowly appropriate for this Lenten season as we fill for Mass with familiar faces, wedding CATHEDRA emerge from the darkness of this past year vows exchanged, baptisms performed, A St. Patrick’s Cathedral publication, of pandemic. Hope, healing and, maybe just "America’s Parish Church" confessions heard, has further affirmed my Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop as importantly, a rebuilding of community… faith in His guiding hand through this and all Rev. Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie, our faithful community, has begun. A new times of challenge. Rector spring has arrived. Throughout my almost fifty years of a Kevin Donohue, Director of Finance & Operations Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, like all Churches blessed pastoral journey, I have witnessed Patrick Danczewski, Gift Shop around the world, struggled with a new reality. the power of faith, hope, community and Director Emily Danz, Director of Marketing The pastoral challenge of ministering to our forgiveness. Manifested through sacrifice, Roberto Espinell, Director of AV faithful with shut doors and limited ability compassion, prayer and devotion. Through Tech. for the faithful to pray as one. However, times of personal tragedies, violence, war, Peter Fitton, Director of Volunteer Services God, in His miraculous way, provided other political strife, and most recently, this Rev. Andrew King, Master of means. Through the gift of technology, we pandemic. God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s Ceremonies were able to continue celebrating Mass daily strength, and the example and inspiration Robert Meyer, Sr. Director of Development virtually. Reaching more of the faithful than of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us all, has Jennifer Pascual, DMA, Director of we ever could have imagined or hoped for. allowed the faithful to transcend darkness Music This past year over 5 million people, across and despair through Him. Photo Credits: Tony Correa, Brian Kutner 170 countries were able to, over TV, radio, Finally, as we emerge from this latest computers, tablets and phone, hear and see The name, Cathedra, selected for this challenge, please pray with me for those who publication, refers to the Latinized the forever hopeful, reassuring, eternally true have suffered loss through this pandemic and Greek for “archbishop’s chair.” Cathedral is a short form of the Word of The Lord during the Celebration of that they may receive Our Lord’s loving peace. Latin, ecclesia Cathedralis “church Mass. I am grateful and overwhelmed by the of a bishop’s seat.” generosity of people from around the world

Papal Visit, 2008 SaintPatricksCathedral.org 2 St. Patrick's Cathedral has partnered with FreeWill.com, an online platform which allows people to easily prepare and create a Will, free of charge, to support those causes you love. At the core of St. Patrick’s Cathedral is our mission of standing the test of time as a beacon of hope, faith, and inspiration for so many here and beyond. Our story is your story, and through your commitment and generosity, generations past, present, and future have been inexorably linked to the beauty of God’s message realized in the community we have built in the heart of New York City.

Join the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral community for Day of Giving, a 24-hour celebration of America’s Parish Church and the power of giving back, starting at Midnight, EST, on March 17, 2021. For more information visit: saintpatrickscathedral.org/dayofgiving

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3 Cathedra SaintPatricksCathedral.org 4 The Bells Shall Call us Home By John Odin

This was not your traditional New York Standing for a moment and not caring normal. Then we notice the church is not as the dawn'. In 1858, much later than Fuller, City Christmas eve. Neither bitterly cold, a lick for the wind and rain we listen to full as it should be for Christmas Midnight Samuel Lover attributed the proverb to the nor air so frigid it burned to breathe deeply. the magnificent concert being performed Mass; the dignitaries and congregants Irish, in Songs and Ballads. It lacked the stinging icy fingers of frost high above us. A concert performed in the sitting shoulder to shoulder that normally There is a beautiful saying amongst the warning you that winter was here, and the northern steeple, pointing skyward towards attend are missing. Irish peasantry to inspire hope under cool longer days of autumn had bid farewell. the heavens to carry our prayers skyward. Then with a ringing of a small bell we all adverse circumstances: "Remember," they Though a howling wind raced down 5th From the massive Saint Patrick (bell/chime) stand. His Eminence Cardinal Timothy say, "that the darkest hour of all, is the hour Ave. escorted by sheets of rain. It was as with his resounding Bb and 6,608 pounds to Dolan enters from the side of the altar and before day." Things will be better. dark a night as anyone could recall and the Saint Godfrey with his inspiring G weighing not down the center nave as is normally Christian churches started ringing bells streets around Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, 173 pounds. Playing in concert were the done. With the wonderful Christmas around 400 AD and by about 600 AD they America’s Parish Church were deserted. Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, Holy Name, readings, his Eminence’s Homily and most were commonplace in the monasteries of Not a soul in sight up and down one of the Saint Michael, Saint Anne, Saint Elizabeth, importantly the Mass our hope is renewed Europe. We also know that the English most famous streets in all the world. A Saint Augustine, Saint Anthony of Padua, our faith strengthened. ringing of church bells appeared in the 11th street that had garnered the nickname Saint Agnes, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint The Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Choir under Century. So, this tradition is a river that Millionaires Row in the early 20th Century Bridget, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Peter, the direction of Dr. Jennifer Pascual high runs long, deep and essential to our faith. Saint Cecilia, Saint Helena, Saint Alphonsus because of the presence of mansions in the Choir Loft inspires us to look for There is no doubt the bells will call us Liguori and Saint Thomas Aquinas. belonging to Mrs. William B. Astor and more, to look deep within ourselves to home after this pandemic is over. The bells William A. Clark. The pandemic of 2020 Our concert has 19 performers weighing confront these challenging times. Their that are Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and all had cast a blanket of sickness and misery 29,000 pounds. After being cast by G. & F. voices soar and again for that brief shining churches. We will rejoice in their tolling, around our city. Paccard Company of Annecy, Savoy, France moment there is hope. their beckoning us home. Standing on the steps of Saint Patrick’s with a range of nearly two octaves they With the end of the Mass, we leave Saint Cathedral and looking towards Rockefeller arrived in July 1897 on the steamship La Patrick’s Cathedral. We walk out onto Center one could barely see the lights from Touraine. They were displayed inside the 5th Avenue and though it is just as dark, our famous Christmas tree. A symbol for the Cathedral near the 5th Avenue entrance windy and rainy as earlier we feel a sense "I heard the bells on Christmas Day beginning of the glorious holiday season. A and on August 15, 1897, they were blessed by of optimism. Their old, familiar carols play, Archbishop Michael Corrigan before nearly symbol that brings countless of thousands The ringing of church bells has a long- 5,000. They were first rung for the Silver and wild and sweet every year, now sits in quiet repose. A storied history. Church bells have provided Jubilee of Archbishop Corrigan on May 4, The words repeat symbol not of where we are but hopefully a rejoicing, a recognition of the end of wars. 1898 playing "Hymn to St. Casmir," "Hymn where we are going. The Civil War, The War to End all Wars (World Of peace on earth, good-will to men! to St. Joseph," and most fittingly "Hymn to Sadness and gloom beset us. In many ways War I) and World War II. To name a few. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: St. Patrick." The Saint Patrick bell was the a scene set by Charles Dickens himself. We first to be rung by the new automated system What does the American Revolution, the "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; were overcome with the sadness. and he gladly plays the "Angelus" throughout Civil War the Draft Riots have in common The Wrong shall fail, Then just before midnight a sound breaks with the Pandemic? They drove us inside off the day. These performers have not missed a The Right prevail, the stillness. A sound that silences the performance. What a magnificent group it is. our streets. Streets that should be teaming howling wind, the rain on the pavement with our fellow New Yorkers. Taking so With peace on earth, good-will to men." With the end of the call to prayer we enter and the darkened windows. It was the many lives, causing boundless sorrow. (The opening and closing paragraphs from Saint Patrick’s and feel the warm glow of our bells that have called us to prayer since Christmas Bells.) faith. After taking our seat we loosen our Walking home we think back to the childhood. The bells that have signaled it is heavy winter coats and untie our scarves. proverb that may have been coined by the - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow time to return to prayer, to rejoice, a time to We lean back and for a moment and we are English theologian and historian Thomas reconnect with God. Just before midnight back to where we feel most secure, most Fuller that 'the darkest hour is just before the bells rang out across the city. at peace. For a brief moment things are

5 Cathedra SaintPatricksCathedral.org 6 Tour St. Patrick's Cathedral!

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7 Cathedra SaintPatricksCathedral.org 8 A Parishioners COVID-19 Journey By Maureen Peters The unusual sound of birds chirping and Of all the burdens to bear, that a pandemic to my local parish. There became a huge gap air and exercise provides prevents me from singing was my first inkling that something can bring was the loss to receive Eucharist. once again. falling into loneliness and despair. had profoundly changed. I have lived on Being a lapsed Catholic for many years, Through discernment in my daily prayers While, technology has afforded ways to live the Upper East Side for many years and am I had become a faithful and practicing I was reminded of a special scripture quote, and survive a pandemic it has also changed accustomed to hearing pigeons protest. I member since 1987. Now, I was not allowed "when one or two are gathered in my name...". human interaction. I am not sure what moved in after September 11, so I don't have to profess a “thank you” to Our Lord in While the rosary was not a daily part of my the future has in store for us as Catholic that event or time to compare. My home faces the reception of the Eucharist in the holy life, I began in mid-March to include the Christians, but I can honestly attest that life York Avenue and the morning routine and sacrifice of the Mass. This Sacrament is rosary daily. My sister, Mary Pat, and I began without the “Eucharist” is a life unfulfilled. commotion is filled with buses, ambulances, the core of our Catholic beliefs. It is what a morning Zoom meeting to pray each day the As I conclude my Covid-19 journey I want cars and service vehicles traveling about. sets us apart from all other Christians. Holy Rosary. to thank you for reading this piece. I found Accompanying them are the many school Not publicly being able to say, “thank you" It has made all the difference in my outlook solace, and still do, in discovering God's will on life during a pandemic. We only missed for me and having the courage and fortitude one day, when her husband contracted to do as He asks. Our “Lady’s” courage Covid-19 and was hospitalized. Her example continues to astonish me. As our city comes of faithfulness and friendship has helped to life again I am renewed and heartened by sustain me throughout this crisis. My my neighbors and their resiliency. “With daughter, Erin, and some other family God, all things are possible”. Thank you for members join on and off. God continually the privilege of sharing my thoughts with reveals spiritual gifts to me that none of us you. Please pray for me, as I will pray for you. are worthy of. We continue to pray the rosary daily each morning. I wouldn't miss it for the world. My fervent prayer is that it continues forever, but that is in God's hands. Another practice that sustained me was meditation which I participate in once a day.... The combination of prayer and meditation have super charged my spiritual life. I feel God's presence ever more acutely than I have ever have. I felt God’s presence daily during this unprecedented time. By God’s grace Mass has returned to a children on their way to grammar, high saddened me. Everything seemed much physical building. I now belong to St. Patrick's school or college. All that stopped in mid- harder to bear without the grace of this Cathedral parish and am greatly enjoying March of 2020 and continues onto today. Sacrament. I was privileged, midsummer myself. What a historic and beautiful Church. 2020, to hear of a covert Mass being held in a Something had arrived on our shores that The parish has many events for participation. location accessible by public transportation. allowed powers to determine that a complete I enjoy the Spanish Mass on Sunday It took me 3 trains, a bus and a ferry ride lockdown was necessary to avert disaster afternoons as well as the organ recitals, it is to get there. It was wonderful, I was even of human loss. I am not here to debate the a new adventure for me. I love walking the 2 able, to go to Confession. Sadly, this Mass merits of that decision. I am here to give my 1/2 miles to church. That has helped with my abruptly ended. Once again I was not allowed accounting of how the pandemic response physical needs. As other social programs and to receive the Eucharist. I was able attend changed my physical, emotional, and activities have remained meeting on Zoom, Zoom Masses regularly and I faithfully tithed spiritual life. the physical and emotional needs that fresh

9 Cathedra SaintPatricksCathedral.org 10 St. Patrick's Cathedral Gift Shop join our legacy

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Mass Times: Monday - Friday: 7:00 am* & 12:00 Noon. Saturday: 8:00 am*, 12:00 Noon, & 5:30 pm (Fulfills Sunday obligation). Sunday: 10:15 am*, 12:00 Noon, 1:00, 4:00 pm (Spanish)*. *Watch Mass via Live Stream: As you think about your giving this year, you may wish to consider some giving options that www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live Gift Shop Locations: could benefit you and provide for the Legacy of the Cathedral. Confession Times: Annex Shop Charitable Bequests Charitable Gift Annuities Weekdays: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. (located within the Cathedral) Saturdays: 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. There are several ways to name the A charitable gift annuity is a simple Main Shop Cathedral as a beneficiary of your will or contract that offers a tax-advantaged way Reconciliation is available in languages other located at 15 East 51st Street living trust. You can make a cash bequest, to provide fixed guaranteed income to you than English. For more information, please leave a specific asset such as appreciated and/or another individual. At the death of contact the priest on duty at: (across from the Cathedral on 51st & securities, or designate that the Cathedral the last income beneficiary, the remaining St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish House Madison) principal is transferred to the Cathedral. st will receive all or a percentage of the 14 East 51 Street remainder of your estate, after your other You can begin to receive income when you New York, NY 10022 beneficiaries are provided for. need it most, either right away, or at a pre- 212.753.2261 You’re Invited to become a determined future date such as retirement. For any additional questions please call the Parishioner Gifts of Parish House: 212.753.2261 Visit us online and sign up today at Retirement Plan Assets Charitable Location: www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/parishioner Retirement plan assets could be the most Remainder Trusts St. Patrick’s Cathedral heavily taxed of all your assets if left to You can donate a wide variety of assets to a 5th Avenue between 50th/51st Streets heirs. With the income and estate taxes, charitable remainder trust, including cash, New York, NY, 10022 more than half could be whittled away. You appreciated securities and real estate, and Subway Directions: can preserve more of your estate for your receive a percentage of the trust’s value E or 6 trains to 5th Avenue/53rd Street heirs and meet your philanthropic goals as income. In years when the trust assets 4 5 6 or NQR trains to 5th Avenue/59th Street by leaving your retirement plan assets to a appreciate; the distribution will increase; if BDM or F trains to Rockefeller Center tax-exempt charitable organization such as asset values decline, distributions are lower. the Cathedral. At the death of the last income beneficiary, Visit Our Gift Shop Online: www.spcgift.org the remaining principal is transferred to the st th 15 East 51 Street, between 5 Ave & Madison Ave Gifts of Cathedral. Hours: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday - Friday Appreciated Securities 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday Giving appreciated securities is now more Contact Us Virtual Tour: www.museumpatron.org advantageous with the rise in the value We would be most grateful for the St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the Mother Church of of securities and higher tax rates. For opportunity to discuss these gift the Archdiocese of New York and the seat of its securities held longer than one year, you arrangements and other giving ideas with can deduct their full market value (top you, your family and your professional Archbishop. Built by contributions large and advisers. small, it remains emblematic of the ascendancy Federal rate 39.6%) regardless of what you of religious freedom in the New World. originally paid for them. You also avoid Robert Meyer paying capital gains tax (top Federal rate Sr. Director of Development, St. Patrick’s 23.8%). Cathedral (646) 537-7830 ext. 847 [email protected]

1115 Cathedra SaintPatricksCathedral.org 12 A Blessed Lenten Season to all!

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